Pit bull killed with steak knife to stop attack on girl

STOCKTON - A family member was forced to stab their pitbull with a steak knife after it attacked a 3-year-old-girl.

According Lt. Phil George of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office, around 9 p.m. Saturday, a 3-year-old girl was able to get outside through a sliding glass door and into the backyard where a family gathering was going on. The family pitbull was spooked by the running child and latched onto the girl's head.

The family saw this happening and could not get the dog to let go. Lt. George says someone then pulled out a steak knife and stabbed the dog to death.

San Joaquin County Animal Services picked up the deceased animal and the dog will be tested for rabies.

The 3-year-old girl was air lifted to the UC Davis Medical Center. She was released from the hospital on Sunday.

The incident happened in the 2000 block of Alcazar Way in North Stockton. No criminal charges are expected.